Police arraign fake electricity company workers for fraud

Two women – Funmilayo Bankole, 30 and Biodun Seriki, 30 – have been arraigned before a magistrate’s court sitting at the Ifako-Ijaiye area of Lagos State for parading themselves as workers of the Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company.

It was learnt that the duo on August 5 collected N30,000 being payment for electricity bills from one Ezekiel Imevbore of Aina Lisboa Street, Iju-Ishaga, under the pretext that they were workers of the company.

They were reported to have issued the unsuspecting victim a receipt when he went to their office two days later.

It was also learnt that the real workers of the company came to the place few days later and urged Ezekiel to pay his bills.

Our correspondent gathered that Ezekiel immediately reported his plight to policemen at the Iju Police Station.

Following their arrest, Bankole and Seriki were brought before Mrs. T. Akani, on four counts of conspiracy, false pretence, fraud and forgery.

The offences were said to be punishable under sections 409, 78(b), 284 and 363 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

The charges read in part, “That you, Funmilayo Bankole and Biodun Seriki on August 5, 2014 at about 1400hrs at Aina Lisboa Street, Iju-Ishaga, in the Ikeja Magisterial District, did conspire to commit felony.

“That you, on the same date, time and place in the aforementioned magisterial district, did falsely present yourselves as staff members of the Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company.

“That you, on the same date, time and place, in the aforementioned magisterial district, did fraudulently convert N30,000, property of one Ezekiel Imevbore.

“That you, on August 7, 2014, at about 14.16hrs, at the Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company, Iju office, in the aforementioned magisterial district, did forge the IKEDC payment receipt.”

The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty to the counts.

Akani admitted them to bail in the sum of N100,000 with two sureties each in the like sum.

She also said that the sureties must be gainfully employed and present evidence of three years of tax payment.

The matter was adjourned till September, 15 2014.

PUNCH